Development of Radon-222 as Natural Tracer for Monitoring the Remediation of NAPL in the Subsurface

Davis, Brian M. ; Semprini, Lewis ; Istok, Jonathan

Oregon State University/Dept of Chemical Engineering (United States)

关键词: Organic Compounds;    Monitoring;    Radon 222;    Ground Water;    Tracer Techniques;   

DOI  :  10.2172/809809
RP-ID  :  DOE/ER/62523
RP-ID  :  FG07-97ER62523
RP-ID  :  809809

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

Naturally occurring 222-radon in ground water can potentially be used as an in situ partitioning tracer to characterize dense nonaqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) saturations. The static method involves comparing radon concentrations in water samples from DNAPL-contaminated and non-contaminated portions of an aquifer. During a push-pull test, a known volume of test solution (radon-free water containing a conservation tracer) is first injected (''pushed'') into a well; flow is then reversed and the test solution/groundwater mixture is extracted (''pulled'') from the same well. In the presence of NAPL radon transport is retarded relative to the conservative tracer. Assuming linear equilibrium partitioning, retardation factors for radon can be used to estimate NAPL saturations.The utility of this methodology was evaluated in laboratory and field settings.